Scientology: Responding as Christians
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Scientology:
Responding as Christians
Page 1L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology
It has become known as the “Religion of the Stars” with celebrities
such as Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, and John Travolta promoting it
as the cure for the problems of life. It is one of the fastest growing
manmade religions in the world as well as being one of the most
dangerous religions. It is the religion of Scientology and it is
sweeping across the country with an appealing storyline that
sounds more like a science fiction movie than a religion.
Scientology is a counterfeit religion that mixes beliefs and
traditions from Buddhist and Hindu Religions, Gnosticism,
science fiction, as well as science and psychology. Many people
get involved with Scientology because it is a new and unusual
self-improvement technique that claims that it will not interfere
with your own religion especially Christianity.
The major question that is posed before you today is this:
Is Scientology Christian or is it a cult?
The answer is: Scientology is absolutely a cult! L. Ron Hubbard
invented a religion in order to become wealthy. He was a creative
and successful science fiction writer that made the following
statement.
“I’d like to start a religion. That’s where the money is.”
(L. Ron Hubbard to Lloyd Eshbach in 1949,
quoted by Eshbach in Over My Shoulder)
Scientology is incompatible with the Christian faith even though it
claims that it is not. Beware of this counterfeit religion because it
presents a false gospel and is leading millions to an eternal
destruction.
Fast Facts on Scientology
Scientology means “the study of knowing.”
Scientology was founded in 1953 by the science fiction writer L.
Ron Hubbard.
Scientology claims to have over 8 million members with 2318
churches and missions in 107 different countries. (The Church of
Scientology, 40th Anniversary Booklet, p.2)
Scientology claims to have 500,000 new converts per year. (The
Church of Scientology, 40th Anniversary Booklet, p.2)
Page 2 The main textbook of Scientology is called Dianetics.
Scientology believes in gods above gods, spiritual beings called
thetans, engrams, MEST, and the process of “auditing” (erasing
of the engrams).
Scientology believes that humanity is basically good but
confused about their godhood.
The History of Scientology
The founder of Scientology is a man named L. Ron Hubbard. He
was born in Tilden, Nebraska, in 1911. Hubbard’s upbringing and
education, as reported by him, have been called into question by
various cultic authorities because much has been found to be
fabricated. As an adult, Hubbard became an author, producing
over 200 novels as well as nonfiction works, the most popular
being Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (published
in 1950).
Hubbard was very influenced by the occult and black magic. He
declared that he was friends with the notorious Satanist Aleister
Crowley whom would eventually become his mentor. (Los Angeles
Times, June 24, 1990, p. A1)
Hubbard claimed that he had received new insight into the
human condition which he released and promoted in his book,
Dianetics. After the release of Dianetics, Hubbard would spend
the next 20 years studying the human spirit and religion. He gave
lectures and wrote books on his new findings and which he would
eventually form into the beliefs that make up Scientology.
The Sacred Writings of Scientology
The writings and lectures of L. Ron Hubbard form the basic belief
system of Scientology. These writings and lectures are considered
to be infallible Scripture to scientologists. The people involved in
this cult recognize Hubbard as the exclusive "Source" of the only
truth to lead man to total spiritual freedom.
"Mr. Hubbard's writings and lectures on the human spirit
comprise the Scripture of Scientology religion.... As the sole
source of the Scriptures, he has no successor" (Leisa
Goodman L. Ron Hubbard, Founder of Dianetics and
Scientology, p. 1).
Page 3Scientology claims that no one else is allowed to alter the writings
and lectures of Hubbard. They are to remain intact and only
Hubbard could revise them. (Scientology Policy Directive 19, July
1982)
Scientology Key Terms and Defintions
Scientology can be a confusing religion whether you are new to
the faith or even if you have been a long time follower. Hubbard
coined new terminology that sounds much more like a science
fiction novel than a religion. Observe some of the key terminology
and definitions coined by Hubbard for Scientology.
Auditing: Also called Processing, the therapy whereby the
student is freed of all painful and "bad" experiences.
Clear: The optimum state of being. A person who is clear
possesses no engrams and is said to be able to manipulate
matter at will.
Engram: A complete recording of every detail which happens
during every moment of unconsciousness. Associated with
times of pain, trouble, or related difficulties.
"An engram comes about when the individual organism
suffers an intense impact with MEST. Every moment of
physical pain contains with it a partial or major shutdown
of the analytical function of the mind" (Science of Survival,
Book Two, p. 28).
E-Meter: Electrometer, electronic instrument used for
measuring mental states of being. Similar to a lie detector.
MEST: Acrostic for Matter, Energy, Space, and Time. The basic
stuff of the physical universe.
"By MEST is meant the physical universe of matter,
energy, space, and time, as we know them in the physical
sciences" (Science of Survival, Book Two, p. 264).
Preclear: Any student of Scientology being audited toward the
state of Clear.
Thetan: The part of each individual which is immortal and
which has become contaminated by the MEST.
"The Thetan is immortal and is possessed of capabilities
well in excess of those hitherto predicted for man. In the
final analysis what is this thing called Thetan? It is simply
you before you mocked yourself up and that is the
handiest definition I know of." (Dianetics and Scientology:
Technical Dictionary, p. 432).
Page 4The Creed of Scientology
Scientology has a basic creed that they claim to live by and that
sets the foundation for their core beliefs. Even though the creed
appears to be noble in words, it is anything but noble in practice.
The followers of Hubbard seek to sue and attack anyone who calls
their religion/philosophy into question.
We of the Church believe:
That all men of whatever race, color, or creed were created with
equal rights;
That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious
practices and their performance;
That all men have inalienable rights to their own lives;
That all men have inalienable rights to their sanity;
That all men have inalienable rights to their own defense;
That all men have inalienable rights to conceive, choose, assist or
support their own organizations, churches and governments;
That all men have inalienable rights to think freely, to talk freely,
to write freely their own opinions and to counter or utter or write
upon the opinions of others;
That all men have inalienable rights to the creation of their own
kind;
That the souls of men have the rights of men;
That the study of the mind and the healing of mentally caused ills
should not be alienated from religion or condoned in non-
religious fields;
And that no agency less than God has the power to suspend or set
aside these rights, overtly or covertly.
And we of the Church believe:
That man is basically good;
That he is seeking to survive;
That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows and
his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.
And we of the Church believe that the laws of God forbid man:
To destroy his own kind;
To destroy the sanity of another;
To destroy or enslave another's soul;
To destroy or reduce the survival of one's companions or one's
group.
And we of the Church believe that the spirit can be saved and that
the spirit alone may save or heal the body.
Page 5Four Beliefs of Scientology
Creation and Christ – Scientology has a unique observation on
their version of creation. Hubbard believes that the Christian
view of creation and Christ is only a false perception of thetans
(spiritual beings) that have had their minds clouded by negative
engrams. Scientology claims that the creation of the world
happened in the following manner.
Seventy five million years ago an evil leader called Xenu
decided to eliminate the excess population from a galactic
confederacy consisting of twenty-six stars and seventy-six
planets. With the help of psychiatrists, he tricked billions
of people into submission and exported them to the planet
Teegeeack or Earth. The paralyzed victims were stacked
around active volcanoes in which hydrogen bombs were
placed. The bombs were detonated and the disembodied
souls or thetans were captured and brainwashed into
believing in the existence of a God and the devil. Hubbard
blamed the evil Xenu for planting the ideas of Catholicism
and the image of crucifixion into the minds of the hapless
thetans. This process also deprived the thetans of their
own sense of identity, resulting in their clinging to the few
physical bodies that remained after the explosions. As a
result, those who have not benefited from Scientology's
auditing process are possessed by a collection of
dysfunctional thetans trying to control their every thought
and action. Once cleared by Hubbard's auditing, all the
confusion disappears.
"Somebody somewhere on this planet, back about 600 BC
found some pieces of R6. And I don't know how they
found it, either by watching madmen or something, but
since that time they have used it and it became what is
known as Christianity. The man on the cross. There was no
Christ. But the man on the cross is shown as Everyman. So
of course each person seeing a crucified man, has an
immediate feeling of sympathy for this man. Therefore you
get many PCs who says they are Christ. Now, there's two
reasons for that, one is the Roman Empire was prone to
crucify people, so a person can have been crucified, but in
R6 he is shown as crucified." The Class VIII [Auditor's]
Course, Lecture 10: "Krakatoa and Beyond", Oct 3, 1968,
aboard the Apollo.
Page 6 The Bible declares that the one true God created the
universe as recorded in Genesis 1-2 and John 1:1-18. The
Bible also declares that Jesus Christ was God’s one and
only Son, the Savior of the world who is the only way to
the Father. (Matthew 3:17, John 14:6)
Total Freedom – Scientology believes that it is the only religion
that can offer true freedom to mankind. They claim that
freedom comes through the process of auditing. Auditing
removes the engrams from the thetan which will ultimately
bring the thetan to the “clear” or free state.
Scientology claims that it alone “brings man to total
freedom and truth.” (A Description of the Scientology
Religion, p. 57)
Auditors have since the first session of Scientology been
the only individuals on this planet in this universe capable
of freeing Man. (L. Ron Hubbard, Professional Auditor's
Bulletin)
The Bible declares that Jesus Christ died for our sins so
that we could be given freedom from sin and slavery for
eternity. (Galatians 5:1, 1 Peter 2:24)
Reincarnation – Scientology believes that each thetan (spiritual
being) possesses a material body until it is wore out then it will
move on to another material body. Hubbard stated that this was
not reincarnation but reanimation yet August Murphy claims it
is reincarnation. See the quote below.
“August Murphy, president of the Church of Scientology
of San Francisco: Another basic concept Scientology shares
with universal religious thought is reincarnation. Like
Buddhism, Hinduism, and early Christianity, Scientology
believes that the individual as an immortal being has
assumed many bodies in his evolution in the physical
universe toward an ultimate realization and freedom from
material bondage." (The News-Herald, 27 July 1992 p. 5).
The Bible declares that God alone knitted you together in
your mothers womb and that He alone created you unique
and special. Man was destined to live and die once and
will have to give an account at the end of this life for his
actions. Reincarnation is not Biblical. (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm
139, Romans 2)
Scientology on Heaven – Scientology claims that heaven is only
a false dream that is made up by an old religion (Christianity). It
also claims that it is the symbol of betrayal not salvation.
Page 7 “Further we have our hands on an appalling bit of
technology where the world is concerned. With rapidity
and a Meter it can be shown that Heaven is a false dream
and that the old religion was based on a very painful lie,
cynical betrayal. (L. Ron Hubbard, HCOB May 11, 1963.)
"For a long while, some people have been cross with me
for my lack of co-operation in believing in a Christian
Heaven, God and Christ. I have never said I didn't
disbelieve in a Big Thetan but there was certainly
something very corny about Heaven...Now I have to
apologize. There was a Heaven. Not too unlike, in cruel
betrayal, the heaven of the Assassins in the 12th Century.
The symbol of the crucified Christ is very apt indeed. It's
the symbol of a thetan betrayed." (L. Ron Hubbard, HCOB
May 11, 1963)
The Bible teaches that man will live for eternity with Jesus
Christ and God the Father if they come to know Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior. (Matt. 5:12-30; 25:41; Rev. 20-22)
Scientology on Christianity – Scientology claims that it makes
it possible for any religion to attain its goals therefore it is a
religion of religions. Yet, it is not compatible with Christianity
and has attacked Christianity and its core beliefs.
"The whole Christian movement is based on the victim.
Compulsion of the overt-motivator sequence. They won by
appealing to victims. We can win by converting victims.
Christianity succeeded by making people into victims. We
can succeed by making victims into people." (HCOB 18
July, 1959, under "Historical Note")
Jesus Christ reminds us that we need to beware of false
teachers and false prophets that will give another gospel
and try to lead you astray. (Matt. 24:4-14, Gal. 1:6-8)
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.”
- Matthew 24:4
Comparison between Scientology & Christianity
We have been warned through the Word of God that false
teachers and false prophets would arise in the last of days to lead
many astray. We must arm ourselves with the truth in order to be
able to respond to these false prophets. Observe the following
comparison chart and arm yourself with the Word of God.
Page 8Biblical Christianity Scientology
God The one God is a Spirit "There are gods above all
who is the personal, other gods, and gods
eternal, infinite Creator of beyond the gods of the
all that exists. He is the universes." (Scientology 8-
only God and necessary for 8008, pp. 72-3).
all other things to exist. He
exists eternally as a Trinity: “Thetans have about the
Father, Son, and Holy same capabilities as those
Spirit. (see Deut. 6:4; Isa. which have been assigned
43:10; 44:6-8; Matt. 28:19; to the Supreme Being. “
John 4:24; 17:3) (Scientology 8-8008, pp.
72-3).
Jesus Jesus Christ was the virgin “You will find the cross as
Christ born God incarnate who a symbol all over the
existed in all time with the universe, and the Christ
Father and Holy Spirit in legend as implant in
the eternal Trinity. As a preclears a million years
man He possessed two ago.” (L. Ron Hubbard,
natures -human and Professional Auditor's
divine. He lived a sinless Bulletin 31, 1954)
life and willingly died on
the cross as a sacrifice for
the sin of all humanity. "Neither Lord Buddha nor
(see John 1:1-18; 8:56-59; Jesus Christ were OT’s
Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 1:13-22; (Operating Thetans)
Heb.1:3; 13:8) according to evidence.
They were just a shade
above clear". (Certainty
magazine, Vol 5 #10)
Sin Human beings have "It is despicable and
chosen to sin against God, utterly beneath contempt
rejecting His nature and to tell a man he must
pursing life opposed to His repent, that he is evil"
essential character and (Professional Auditor
revealed law. (see Rom. Bulletin [PAB] #31, 23 July
3:23; 7:14-25; 1 John 1:8-10) 1954).
Page 9Salvation Men are saved from their "Nobody but the
sins only by a personal individual can die for his
faith in Jesus Christ. sins" (HCO Bulletin, 2
January 1960).
Christ’s death on the cross “Scientology claims that it
was an atonement for alone “brings man to total
God’s wrath against sin so freedom and truth.””
that God could freely (A Description of the
forgive those who trust His Scientology Religion, p. 57)
son (1 Jn. 2:2; Jn. 3:16).
“Auditors have since the
first session of Scientology
been the only individuals
on this planet in this
universe capable of
freeing Man.” (L. Ron
Hubbard, Professional
Auditor's Bulletin)
Final Eternal life in heaven with "Hell is a total myth, an
Outcome God for those who have invention just to make
of trusted in Jesus Christ. people unhappy and is a
Mankind Eternal separation from vicious lie" (PAB #130, 15
God's presence in hell for Feb. 1958).
the unsaved. (see Matt.
5:12-30; 25:41; Rev. 20-22)
“Further we have our
hands on an appalling bit
of technology where the
world is concerned. With
rapidity and a Meter it
can be shown that Heaven
is a false dream and that
the old religion was based
on a very painful lie,
cynical betrayal. (L. Ron
Hubbard, HCOB May 11,
1963.)
Page 10Revenge "Love your enemies, do "An enemy... may be
and good to those who hate injured by any means or
Enemies you, bless those who curse tricked, sued or lied to or
you, pray for those who ill- destroyed."
treat you. If someone (L. Ron Hubbard, Penalties
strikes you on one cheek, for Lower Conditions, HCO
turn to him the other also." PL 18 Oct 67)
(Luke 6:27-28, Matthew
5:38-39)
"This is the correct
procedure: (1) Spot who is
attacking us. (2) Start
investigating them
promptly for FELONIES
or worse using our own
professionals, not outside
agencies. (3) Double curve
our reply by saying we
welcome an investigation
of them. (4) Start feeding
lurid, blood sex crime
actual evidence on the
attackers to the press.
Don’t ever tamely submit
to an investigation of us.
Make it rough, rough on
attackers all the way."
(L. Ron Hubbard, Attacks
on Scientology, HCO PL 25
Feb 1966)
How Now Shall We Respond?
We have exposed and responded to the false claims made by the
Scientology by bringing these beliefs into the light of God’s Word.
It is important for us to understand that there are many more false
religions, false prophets, and false teachers all around us. We
conclude this booklet by asking this question:
How will you respond
to Scientology as a Christian?
Page 111 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But
do this with gentleness and respect…
Now is the time for Christians to rise up and respond to the false
religions that we are encountering in this world. Prepare your
heart and mind by implementing the following steps.
Step #1 – Study and memorize the Word of God.
Step #2 – Apply the Word of God in your life.
Step #3 – Guard your heart and mind through prayer and the
Word of God.
Step #4 – Always be ready to give a response for the Hope
that you have through Christ alone!
Scripture quotations are New International Version, taken from the Holy Bible, NIV Version,
Copyright 1973, 1978 & 1984 by IBS.
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